The 21st World Winter Cities Conference for Mayors 

The World Winter Cities Conference for Mayors is a Conference held every second year gathering together leaders and experts from WWCAM Member Cities and it is also open for other winter cities as observers. 

To learn more about WWCAM, please visit the official website wwcam.org 

The main language of the conference is English, with interpretation available in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Kindly note that side events are held without interpretation arranged by the organiser. 

Themes

Main Theme: Sustainable Urban Innovation and Healthy Active Lifestyles in Winter Cities

This conference explores how winter cities can become more resilient and liveable through climate‑friendlyurban innovation, active lifestyles, and community wellbeing. It highlights practical approaches that embrace winter as a strength and support healthy, inclusive, and sustainable cities.

The programme is built around two sub-themes: 

Subtheme 1: Urban Innovation for Climate‑Friendly Winter Cities

Sharing practical, innovative solutions for climate action,  environmental adaptation, and sustainable urban development in winter conditions. 

Subtheme 2: Healthy Active Lifestyles in Winter Cities

Showcasing creative ways to promote physical activity and wellbeing in winter cities despite seasonal challenges. 

Presentations from partners 

If you are interested in presenting, please let us know by submitting a short outline of your presentation by 31 July 2026 to wwcam@rovaniemi.fi. Ten‑minute presentation slots have been reserved for participating cities to share experiences and good practices with fellow winter cities. If you are interested in a longer time slot, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to see what can be arranged. 

To support interpretation arrangements, we kindly ask that final presentation materials be submitted by 15 August 2026.  

Side Events

Winter Cities Expo 

The WInter Cities Expo will showcase good practices from WWCAM member cities and local innovations from Rovaniemi. 

For participants the Expo offers a chance to meet local business, network among WWCAM members and learn good practices from WWCAM member cities.

For exhibitors the Expo offers a change to showcase their city and good practices on sustainable urban development and healthy active lifestyles. Member cities interested in participating as exhibitor we kindly invite to express their interest by 31 May 2026 to wwcam@rovaniemi.fi. 

Winter Cities Expo will be held on Wed 9th September at Sampokeskus Shopping Mall.

The expo is open for the general public. 

Site Visits 

Lainaanranta Riverside: Year‑Round Recreation with Winter Walking and Cycling

Lainaanranta is a popular area among the Rovaniemi residents for free time. Lainaanranta has gone through extensive investments in last few years and is to be finished in 2026. Major investments have been done to winter cycling infrastructure, flood protection infrastucture and development of the area as public living room for residents. 

Arctic Everyday Aalto: Alvar Aalto’s architecture In Rovaniemi 

Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) is Finland’s most significant and internationally renowned architect.  Rovaniemi is proud to be home to several landmark buildings designed by Aalto. The study visit will offer a chance to see the recently renovated Rovaniemi public library and how architecture supports life in winter city. 

Networking and Evening Events 

Discussion and networking are an important part of this conference, and the programme is designed to allow plenty of time for informal exchanges and meaningful connections. 

Evening receptions provide a relaxed setting to meet fellow participants while enjoying local culture in Rovaniemi. 

Want to see and experience more?

If you would like to extend your visit and explore more of Rovaniemi and the surrounding area, we warmly recommend www.visitrovaniemi.fi for further information.